Custom Cabinetry Variances

2 years ago

I got custom cabinetry built for my apartment. I am finding that there are several instances where the cabinetry and the walls are not meeting up exactly. What sort of variances are acceptable?

For example:

On a wall between two entryways (front door and kitchen), the cabinet is 3 MM shorter than the wall for the height of the cabinet on the left side. And on the right side, it is 3 MM narrower on the top, and 10 MM narrower on the bottom. (See photos 1 shows the 10 MM variance on the bottom right corner.)

For a kitchen’s upper cabinet, that runs from the corner of the room on the left to the edge of the wall on the right side, the cabinet is about 3 MM narrower than the wall on the right from top to bottom. I would think that the cabinetry maker should have added filler at the corner on the left to make the cabinet flush on the right edge to the wall? (Photo 2 shows the 3 MM variance on the right side.)

I am also added drawings to better illustrate the specific areas.

Would appreciate feedback on what are the acceptable variances for custom cabinetry and solutions. Thank you.

Example 1 - Drawing

Example 1 - Photo

Example 2 - Photo

Example 2 - Drawing

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Comments (8)

rebasheba
2 years ago
Can you take more photos from farther back? Impossible to understand what we are looking at from 6 inches away.
kempek01
2 years ago
My first question would be whether the variances are in the cabinet, or if it really the wall.
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PRO
The Kitchen Place
2 years ago
Man, is it because I went to happy hour tonight.,,,or what? I've been in the business for 40+ years and I can't follow what is being asked.

Cabinets are built square. You can have extended fillers done....but sometimes slight variances are normal. Walls are rarely square or flat. Looks like you have modern type cabinet....and they didn't want to use scribe, so used caulk?

Yes, take some more pictures so we can see farther back. The cabinets look very nice.
millworkman
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Someone (the op) does not understand construction. The Kitchen Place is spot on. Custom does not mean the boxes are built out of square to fit a wonky wall and or unlevel floors. Custom does not mean you still do not need scribe moulding and fillers.
HU-862725558
2 years ago
You do not understand cabinet design, construction, or installation. Stop with the anxiety over zero issues and stay in your lane. Or else learn a whole college level course about all of the above.
HU-244890105
Original Author
2 years ago
I am here to learn. Thanks for everyone’s feedback.

So maybe a bit more clarification and photos on the situation that I would like to ask about the most. One of the cabinet cases is built around a wall to conceal a fuse box and to provide some storage. On the left side of the cabinet, it is about 5 MM narrower than the wall. On the right side, it starts to be 3 MM narrower up top and gradually gets even narrower, say 10 MM (or 3/8 inch) narrower on the bottom. In my mind, if the cabinet maker had built the case just 8 MM wider overall then it would have fit better. Is this variance acceptable or can I ask them to redo? Right now, at eye level, the variance is quite obvious along the entry on the right side. Seems unsightly.

Would appreciate your feedback. Please also let me know what sort of experience you have, I.e., as someone in the trade or as a home owner, etc. Thanks.
BlueberryBundtcake - 6a/5b MA
2 years ago
So is the complaint here that the cabinet is a few mm shorter than the walls? Tolerances like that are needed for the pieces to be installable ... It accounts for unevenness in the floor/ceiling, and allows the piece to be slid into place. Moldings are sometimes used to hide where the top/bottom of the cabinet come to the ceiling ... if you don't like it, maybe get some shoe molding or quarterround added to the joint. For the width, I'm not entirely sure what you're complaining about ... it's a cabinet, not a continuation of the wall.

Also, a saw blade kerf is usually about a 1/8th of an inch (a bit over 3mm), so you are nitpicking unreasonably.
PRO
The Kitchen Place
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Get out a LEVEL and quit measuring the exposed "wall reveal". If the cabinet is plumb and level, you're good. Can't fault the installer for walls that are not plumb. You can complain to the guy that framed the house. :-) It looks like that one tall unit may have been built out of parts? Hard to tell. But maybe that's why it might not be plumb. If it isn't, then you have a reason to bring it up and find out why it's like that. But check with a level first and put away your measuring tape. :-)

I'm glad you are here learning.